Free Faith's Sheriff (Montgomery Family and Friends) by Iris Abbott

probably about ready for some water.” 
    Faith reached out and took the offered blooms.  She slowly brought them up to her nose and inhaled the fresh floral scent.  Thank heavens she wasn’t allergic to them, because there was nothing she loved more than the smell of fresh flowers.  Well except maybe the woodsy citrus smell of Cole Duncan which was quickly becoming imprinted on her mind.
    Her mind wandered to thoughts of being enveloped by that scent while Cole hovered over and around her making love to her in a tangle of crisp cotton sheets. She heard the loud clearing of a throat and jerked back to the here and now.  Cole was looking at her expectantly and Faith realized he’d called her name several times.  She hadn’t heard him, because she’d been focused on the erotic images flashing through her mind.  She could feel heat rushing to her face.  Thank goodness she didn’t have pale skin or she’d probably be bright red.
    “Welcome back,” Cole teased.  “That must have been some kind of daydream.  I could feel the heat from here.”
    Faith didn’t waste time with a comeback.  She needed to put some space between Cole and herself or she was never going to get him off her mind.  She opened the French doors and quickly slipped inside.  There would be safety in numbers.  She all but ran to the kitchen and the comforting presence of her best friend. 
    “Playing matchmaker again, I guess,” she said to Caroline as soon as she saw her.  “There’s no way it took you this long to get more tea.”
    Caroline winked, “did it work?”
    Faith gave her friend a mysterious smile.  “I don’t know.  I guess you’d have to ask Cole about that.”
    “Ask me what,” Cole’s deep and husky voice whispered into Faith’s ear.
    Her whole body was aware of his close proximity and she had to consciously will her breathing to slow and even out.  Her mind was cautious, but her body was ready to jump in and see exactly just how far things could go with Cole.
    “I thought you might like to stay and have dinner with us,” Caroline issued the invitation.
    “Now Caroline, you know I love your cooking.  Who can resist great food and even better company?  Count me in and thanks.”
    Faith felt her stomach flip.  It looked like she wasn’t going to be getting a break from Cole’s intoxicating presence anytime soon.  She clenched her fists and felt something jab into the palm of her hand.  Oh she’d forgotten all about the flowers.  “Caroline do you have an extra vase for the flowers Cole brought over?”
    “I sure do.  It’s right there in that cabinet.”  She turned to Cole, “can you reach it?”
    Cole stretched a hand out to open the cabinet above the refrigerator and glanced inside.  He saw three empty vases.  He opened the door wider so Faith could see inside.  “Which one do you want for your flowers,” he asked. 
    Faith’s heart melted just a little bit more.  Her ex would have just grabbed the closest one.  He wouldn’t have wanted or cared for Faith’s opinion much less taken the trouble to ask.  She looked at the three vases.  One looked like an oversized Mason jar and would be perfect for the daisies.  “I like the one in the middle,” she told him.  “I think the vase and daisies combined will have a comforting downhome country appeal.”
    Cole reached into the cabinet and snagged the vase.  Once he had it out of the cabinet he handed it over to Faith.  “Okay let’s get those flowers some water.”
    Faith held the vase he’d offered with a tight grip.  Her fingers had accidently brushed against his when she’d taken the vase and once again she found herself hungering for his touch.  How would it feel to have those strong capable hands caress every inch of her body?  She let out a deep sigh and turned toward the kitchen sink.  Yep dinner tonight was going to be pure torture.  Heaven forbid if his thigh accidently slid against hers under the dining room